GARDEN

PRAIRIE GARDENER: Wasps won’t solve ash borer problem but should help

Several thousand tiny Chinese wasps will be released this month in the Twin Cities in hopes they will help stop the spread of the dreaded emerald ash borer. These borers, now confined to the Twin Cities and a small corner of southeastern Minnesota, pose a threat to about a half million ash trees in the Twin Cities and nearly 1 billion statewide in Minnesota.

By Darrel Koehler , June 12, 2011

PRAIRIE GARDENER: Red Splendor flowering crabapple provides beauty and bounty

When the late Melvin Bergeson, longtime Fertile, Minn., nursery man, introduced the Red Splendor flowering crabapple back in 1948, little did he know what impact it would have on the region.

By Darrel Koehler , June 05, 2011

PRAIRIE GARDENER: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum features ‘Steelroots’ sculpture exhibit

Once again outdoor sculpture will be the major attraction at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum here this summer. This premier garden attraction always has something unusual for visitors. This exhibit will be on view until early 2012, so if you don’t get a chance to visit this summer, you can go in either autumn or winter.

By Darrel Koehler , May 29, 2011

PRAIRIE GARDENER: How we love our home-grown tomatoes

When it comes to delectable treats from the garden, tomatoes probably top the list. If we plan ahead, we can enjoy home-grown tomatoes from early July until the first hard frost of autumn

By Darrel Koehler , May 22, 2011

PRAIRIE GARDENER: With container gardening, you don’t need a garden plot to grow vegetables

If you don’t have a garden plot, you can still grow your own fresh veggies. One way would be to rent a plot or take part in a community gardening project. Or, you can grow your vegetables in containers.

By Darrel Koehler , May 15, 2011

PRAIRIE GARDENER: Many bulb flowers may not bloom for Mother’s Day

After a long winter, the sight of blooming spring bulbs is a delight. If you garden, you probably have been checking your bulb beds for the past several weeks.

By Darrel Koehler , May 08, 2011

PRAIRIE GARDENER: 2011 will be another big year for home-grown veggies

May Day, which is observed today, brings back memories of trekking through the forest, searching for the elusive May flower. These tiny white, pink or blue flowers were the first to emerge from beneath the forest floor of rotted leaf mold.

By Darrel Koehler , May 01, 2011

PRAIRIE GARDENER: It doesn’t take a lot of work to have a beautiful lawn

A beautiful lawn can set off your home and garden as something special. And, it doesn’t take a lot of work, money or effort to do so. If left alone, your grass will normally deteriorate and grow thinner and weedier as the years go by.

By Darrel Koehler , April 24, 2011

PRAIRIE GARDENER: Lilies have a long, rich history, dating back to biblical times

For pure elegance, aroma and beauty, there is no indoor holiday plant that tops the Easter lily. The season is short, but after enjoying the blooms in your home this holiday season, you can plant it in a sunny corner of your garden and enjoy an encore performance in mid-September.

By Darrel Koehler , April 17, 2011

PRAIRIE GARDENER: Get a jump on spring by doing some indoor gardening

If you want to get a jump on spring, plant some vegetable or flower seeds indoors. That will give you will a chance to enjoy the sweet aroma of fresh soil along with getting your fingers dirty. It may be awhile before you can be out in your gardens, so indoor planting will be good therapy.

By Darrel Koehler , April 10, 2011

PRAIRIE GARDENER: Growing giant pumpkins requires skill and patience

The golden orbs of autumn are becoming behemoths as growers try to grow ever bigger pumpkins. This year was no exception with Chris Stevens of New Richmond, Wis., (near Stillwater, Minn.) who produced a world record pumpkin totaling 1,810 pounds. The old record was 1,725 pounds and was grown in Ohio in 2009. A 2,000-pound pumpkin is within reach soon.

By Darrel Koehler , October 31, 2010

PRAIRIE GARDENER: Community gardening projects flourish in Greater Grand Forks

Nothing beats the crispness and taste of fresh green beans from the garden, or for that matter, carrots, beets, peas or tomatoes. This is what Nancy Nelson, second-year vegetable gardener, discovered this summer. Nelson was one of many fledgling gardeners who took part in community gardens in Grand Forks this summer. Not since the Victory Gardens of the World War II era have so many people discovered it was so much fun digging in the ground to plant veggies. This garden produce helped cut food expenses and taught youngsters and others the importance of fresh veggies and fruits in their diets. First lady Michelle Obama’s enthusiasm hasn’t hurt, either.

By Darrel Koehler , October 24, 2010

Ignore these chores at your garden's peril

If we haven't reached the end of the gardening season, we can at least see it from here. So if you haven't finished your buttoning-up chores, you'd better do them soon.

By Connie Nelson , October 19, 2010

PRAIRIE GARDENER: Tinker gardens is one of six gardens you can visit while in Rockford, Ill.

Robert Hall Tinker, longtime Rockford businessman, found a short-cut to fame and fortune. He married the widow of his boss and achieved both. His wife was the widow of John Manny, who was the inventor of the reaper and who got caught up in a long-term legal clash with Cyrus McCormick, who made a similar claim. Manny won.

By Darrel Koehler , October 17, 2010

PRAIRIE GARDENER: Put Buffalo’s botanical gardens at the top of your must-see list

While it was too early for the 105th annual Chrysanthemum Show, which begins in late October at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, Grand Forks senior citizens were able to take in the Victorian Week and Ivy Show in late September.

By Darrel Koehler , October 10, 2010